(Reference: limits on birr and foreign currency holding in the territory of Ethiopia (as Amended) Directive No. FXD/87/2024)
The Birr Holding Limit for a Person departing from or entering into Ethiopia
The Birr holding limit for:-
– A person Entering into and departing from Ethiopia may hold up to a maximum of Birr 3,000.00 (Birr Three Thousand) per travel to and from Ethiopia;
– Notwithstanding the limit set above, a person travelling to Djibouti may hold up to a maximum amount of Birr 10,000 (Birr Ten Thousand) per travel.
Time Limit for holding and conversion of Foreign Currency
For a person residing in Ethiopia
- A person residing in Ethiopia enters into the territory of Ethiopia carrying a foreign currency shall convert all foreign currency at an authorized forex bureau for the equivalent sum in Birr or deposit to his/her foreign currency saving account within 30 days from date of entry stamped on the travel document by the Immigration and Citizenship Service.
- If the foreign currency amount exceeds USD 4,000 (USD Four Thousand) or equivalent in any other convertible foreign currency he/she has to present customs declaration using the customs declaration form on arrival at airport.
- a person residing in Ethiopia who purchase foreign currency from a bank, may carry such foreign currency for a period of thirty (30) days from the date of a bank advice and has to convert it at an authorized forex bureau for the equivalent sum in birr within (30) days.
For the Foreign National of Ethiopian Origin or Ethiopian National not residing in Ethiopia
- However, the Foreign National of Ethiopian Origin or Ethiopian National not residing in Ethiopia who enters Ethiopia carrying foreign currency and intends to stay for more than ninety days, shall deposit such a foreign currency into his/her Non-resident (NR) Foreign Currency Account, his/her Foreign Exchange saving account within ninety days from date of entry stamped on the travel document by the Immigration and Citizenship Service.
- However, he/she has to present customs declaration using the customs declaration form on arrival at airport if the foreign currency amount exceeds USD 10,000 (USD Ten Thousand) or equivalent in any other convertible foreign currency while depositing into foreign currency account or convert it at an authorized forex bureau for the equivalent sum in Birr.
- A foreigner not residing in Ethiopia enters into the country carrying foreign currency may hold the foreign currency in his/her possession up to the visa validity period.
Permissible amount of Foreign Currency for Travel Abroad
- Person residing in Ethiopia is allowed to travel abroad by carrying a foreign currency if he/she present a bank advice issued for the purchase of it within a period of 30 days from the date of a bank advice.
- Non-resident Foreign National of Ethiopian Origin and Ethiopian National not residing in Ethiopia is allowed to travel abroad by carrying a foreign currency if he/she present a bank advice issued for the purchase of it within a period of 30 days from the date of a bank advice.
